2027: Kwankwaso Cannot Distract Us – ADC Fires Back

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has said Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso cannot distract it ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The council alleged that his repeated attacks on the ADC and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, raised questions about his relationship with President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kwankwaso is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), whose presidential candidate is Peter Obi.

The latest exchange followed a statement by Kwankwaso in which he rejected allegations that the NDC was working for Tinubu or the APC. He also insisted that Obi would not withdraw from the presidential race in favour of Atiku or any other opposition candidate.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, dismissed Kwankwaso’s response as diversionary, arguing that the former governor had failed to address the concerns raised by the council.

The ADC-PCC had criticised Kwankwaso for calling on Atiku to step down for Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election. It argued that the NDC vice-presidential candidate should focus on challenging the ruling party over the country’s economic and security challenges rather than attacking opposition figures.

According to the council, Kwankwaso’s response devoted considerable attention to the ADC while making only limited reference to the APC, which it holds responsible for the difficulties facing Nigerians.

“Why is Senator Kwankwaso making our candidate the issue instead of confronting the ruling APC, whose policies have made life increasingly difficult for millions of Nigerians?” the council asked.

It maintained that the opposition should concentrate on issues affecting citizens, including hunger, insecurity, high fuel prices, the depreciation of the naira and the rising cost of living.

The council argued that these challenges should be the focus of politicians seeking to replace the Tinubu administration in 2027, adding that opposition figures should hold the government accountable rather than engage in prolonged exchanges with one another.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the ADC cannot and will not be distracted by Senator Kwankwaso,” the statement declared.

The council further challenged Kwankwaso to explain why his criticism appeared to be directed more frequently at Atiku and the ADC than at the APC-led government.

It also accused him of using attacks on the ADC to curry political favour with the ruling party, urging him to openly align with the APC if he shared its political agenda. The allegation was made by the ADC-PCC and has been rejected by Kwankwaso.

The council said the ADC remained focused on mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the party as a platform committed to providing an alternative to the current administration.

The latest statement came after Kwankwaso accused the ADC campaign team of making unnecessary attacks against him, Obi and the NDC instead of presenting its own candidate and political programme to Nigerians.

In his response, posted on X, the former Kano governor said the ADC-PCC was attempting to create confusion around the NDC’s presidential ambition by suggesting that the party could withdraw from the race in favour of Atiku.

“The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful,” Kwankwaso stated.

He accused the ADC campaign council of creating mischief against the NDC and its presidential ticket rather than highlighting the qualifications and records of its own candidates.

Kwankwaso also argued that the ADC-PCC should focus on responding to allegations levelled against Atiku by Vice President Kashim Shettima instead of targeting him and Obi.

Addressing speculation about a possible withdrawal from the presidential race, Kwankwaso insisted that the NDC would remain in the contest.

“We are aware that the ADC-PCC may try to mislead our supporters on the eve of the election by claiming that we intend to withdraw in their favour. Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria,” he said.

He further rejected allegations that the NDC was working for Tinubu or the APC, insisting that his party had its own political ambition and would contest the election independently.

“The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of the APC or any of its candidates. We see no possibility or reason to withdraw from the presidential race in favour of the ADC candidate or any other. These claims are unfounded and should be treated as such,” he added.